Fernando Martinez Retains IBF Title, Upsets Jerwin Ancajas For Second Time
Fernando Martinez didn’t let Jerwin Ancajas have a second chance.
Martinez dominated the former IBF junior bantamweight champion in their immediate rematch, winning the bout by a 12-round unanimous decision at Dignity Health Sports Park. The judges scored the fight 118-110, 119-109 and 118-110.
And STILL 🏆
After 12 rounds of non-stop action, Fernando Martinez retains his title via unanimous decision 🔥#MartinezAncajas2 #Fundoraocampo pic.twitter.com/SZPKl8Rh1l
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) October 9, 2022
Ancajas seemed to have set the tone early in the bout. In the second round, he caught Martinez with a combination and a right hand that made him lose his balance.
In the third round, Martinez didn’t seem to give Ancajas anymore chances as he landed a barrage of punches to his opponent’s head and body in the final minute.
The two engaged in a back-and-forth exchange in the fourth round before Martinez drilled Ancajas with a right hand with just over a minute to go into the fifth round.
Martinez carried over his assertiveness into the sixth round as he hammered Ancajas with hard right hands and a left hook.
Nothing changed by the eighth round, except for Ancajas’ face becoming noticeably swollen.
Despite that, Ancajas continued to fight back in the ninth round. He connected with a left hand.
In the last few rounds, Ancajas tried to turn the tables, but it wasn’t enough. Martinez continued to pound on him – even in the final half of the 12th round. Ancajas took a flush of shots to close out the bout.
In their first fight in February, Martinez upset the Filipino boxer by unanimous decision, snatching the IBF title. Ancajas was the favorite heading into the first fight and held the title of the second longest-reigning champion.
A contractual clause granted Ancajas an immediate rematch, which Martinez powered past on Saturday.